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Rookie Camp: No rest, No problem for Sanheim

by
Staff Writer
/ Philadelphia Flyers

Travis Sanheim took a couple days off after Flyers Development Camp ended in mid-July… but that's about it.

The Flyers' first round draft pick in June hardly had an off-season to catch his breath since going through the whirlwind of being a top propect and NHL draftee. In fact, his offseason -- or lack there of -- started way before the Draft.

"The end of last season wasn't the way we wanted it to be, losing in the first round," said Sanheim after his first season with the WHL's Calgary Hitmen. "A few days after we lost I got a call from Hockey Canada and was lucky enough to be selected to the Under-18 Team."

So Sanheim packed his bags and went to Finland to continue his season, and the trip was well worth it. He landed an important role with the team that caused his stock to rise in an important month.

"I kind of feel like I opened some scouts eyes over there. I thought I had a really good tournament."

That he did. Posting six assists in seven games for Canada.

From there, the recently turned 18-year old was off to the NHL combine for physical testing and interviews with a more than a handful of NHL teams. And that's where the Flyers come in.

Just a few short weeks later, the club selected Sanheim 17th overall with their first round selection, and he would soon find himself back in Philly to hit the ice as a member of the Flyers for the first time.

"I got to learn a bunch of new skills," said Sanheim of his first pro camp. "It was a great learning week and I took a lot out of it to use for this upcoming season."

He wouldn't have to wait until this start of the season to put that knowledge to good use.

Another couple weeks of training back in his hometown of Elkhorn, Manitoba and it was back on the circuit. This time at World Junior Camp in Montreal among the best prospects in Canada with a lineup that featured Jonathan Drouin, Connor McDavid and No. 1 overall pick from this season, Aaron Ekblad.

"There's a ton of skilled guys on that roster and to be on the same ice surface as some of those guys it was incredible. It was a really good experience for me and I felt that I played really well in the two games that I did get in."

A week later, and after a pit-stop at home, it was off to Calgary and training camp with the Hitmen, where his role was reversed from what he had been used to the entire summer.

"I was really trying to teach some of the younger guys there being one of the older guys. Especially on our defense, we have a pretty young d-core so I was a guy they kind of leaned on."

Before packing up his gear for camp in Philly, Sanheim was able to get into two preseason games and what he learned over summer camps must have stuck with him. He posted two assists in the two outings.

Flash-forward to present day and at camp with Sanheim. One would think that his jam-packed summer might affect his performance at this year's camp, but if Flyers head coach Craig Berube isn't worried about it, then neither should Flyers fans.

"I think he's that type of kid where I don't think that stuff is going to get to him as much," said Berube. "He seems like he's pretty polished upstairs. He's got good composure and he doesn't seem like he gets rattled easily. I like the way he thinks out there."

"I wouldn't want to change my summer. It was an incredible summer and one that doesn't happen to many people," added Sanheim. "Not being able to train was hard, but at the same time what I was doing was a great experience. I learned a lot over the course of the summer and I'm just trying to soak it all in and at the same time I'm trying to in a good impression with this team."